Keraia
Acts 27

Acts 27:12

Paul Sails for Rome · Acts 27:1–12
Read Acts 27

Translations

Modern
Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided to sail on, hoping that somehow they could reach Phoenix to winter there. Phoenix was a harbor in Crete facing both southwest and northwest.
Traditional
And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west.
Literal
And the harbor being unsuitable to winter in, the majority made a decision to set sail from there, if somehow they might be able, having arrived at Phoenix—a harbor of Crete looking toward the southwest and toward the northwest—to winter there.
Latin
Et cum aptus portus non esset ad hiemandum, plurimi statuerunt consilium navigare inde, si quomodo possent, devenientes Phœnicen hiemare, portum Cretæ respicientem ad Africum et ad Corum.

Original

Greek
English
Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided to sail on, hoping that somehow they could reach Phoenix to winter there. Phoenix was a harbor in Crete facing both southwest and northwest.

Notes

Acts 27:12

The winds from the southeast made Fair Havens not a safe harbor for winter. Phoenix, a town further up the coast of Crete, offered a better harbor.

Acts 27:1–28:16

  • The graphic language describing sailing in the story of Paul's journey to Rome provides one of the best accounts of an ancient sea journey.

  • This is the last "we" section in Acts (see also 16:10–17; 20:5–15; 21:1–18). During Paul's two years of imprisonment, Luke probably researched his gospel throughout Judea and Galilee. Here, as part of Paul's sailing group, he had a personal witness of the dangers at sea.

Theme notes and profiles

Paul (Saul)

Events

Places

Caphtor: Island home of the Philistines; visited by Paul Phoenix: A harbor on the island of Crete

Glossary

Book of the Acts of the Apostles Caesarea Crete Julius Luke (Person) Luke, Gospel of Malta Paul the Apostle Phenice Phoenix Sailors Salvation Titus, Letter to Travel

Topics

Crete: Visited by Paul Meteorology and Celestial Phenomena: Phenomena of The Autumnal Weather on the Mediterranean Paul: Predicts Misfortune to the Ship; his Counsel not Heeded, and the Voyage Resumes Phenice: A Harbor of Crete Winter: Shipping Suspended In, on the Mediterranean Sea Winter: Ships Were Laid up in Port During